Here's a little inspiration for those with their hearts set on becoming top earners: Bloomberg this week launched its Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world's 20 wealthiest individuals that apparently fluctuates as much as the markets do.
Right now Mexico's telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim, 72, is beating Microsoft founder Bill Gates, 56, for first place, Bloomberg reports. Warren Buffet ranks third.
Nine of the world's 20 richest people are Americans, including Christy Walton, Jim Walton and Samuel Robson Walton -- all from the family of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton.
Mark Zuckerberg, 27, is not on the list due to some convoluted arithmetic involving shares of Facebook's Class B stock.
The combined net worth of the world's 20 richest people is $676.8 billion. (Bloomberg)
Sales Buzz
Growth Mode (Chain Store Age)
Dick's sporting goods is continuing its expansion, with plans to open 40 new stores and grow its e-commerce offerings this year.
Video Applicant Screening (SFGate)
J.C. Penney is using TalentRooster, a video interview firm that specializes in retail hiring, to screen internal candidates for Penney's salon division.
Handling Consequences (Sales Machine)
Sales Machine asks its readers how they would adjust their sales and marketing plans if business strategist Marc Emmer's "Intended Consequences" were to come true. It's a sobering question as those consequences include food pestilence and higher national debt.
New Stores (Retailing Today)
Recreational Equipment Inc. plans to open its eighth store in Texas in the fall of 2012 and its first store in Florida in the spring of 2013.
Marketing Buzz
CEO Turnover (FINS)
A total of eight CEOs at media, retail, consumer goods and food companies announced their departures last month, down from 15 in January.
Content Creators (Forbes)
Forbes talks to Jonah Bloom, executive director of the marketing incubator kbs+ Content Labs, about how marketers and agencies can succeed as content creators. Bloom works for the author of the piece, Lori Senecal, who is president and chief executive of the firm kirshenbaum bond senecal + partners.
Terra Nova Crashes (Media Decoder)
Fox canceled its big-budget series "Terra Nova" after its first season. "Too many cooks and too many ingredients left 'Terra Nova' veering from week to week," writes Ad Age.
Buzz Around the Office
Lucy Blodgett, an assistant editor at the Huffington Post LA, tries out Sprinkles' new cupcake vending machine.
List of the Day: Funny Bone
Don't be afraid to toss out some career-related humor to show your interviewer you've got a personality.
1. A well-timed punch line can ease the natural tension of a job interview.
2. A joke may help offset potential disapproval over a long period of unemployment on your resume.
3. Don't force it or things could get awkward.
(Source: CBS Money Watch)